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Finding a Quality Portable Bluetooth Speaker: A Buyer’s Guide
When you’re planning a day out with your friends and family, you want to enjoy your day to the fullest, and listening to your favorite songs on your scruffy stereo or earphones isn’t the perfect way to go about it. To groove to the beat and amp up your outdoor adventures, a portable Bluetooth speaker is a must-have. These handy devices are powerful enough to produce crystal-clear sound without having to search for a power supply.Portable Bluetooth speakers are rapidly growing in popularity due to their compact shape, high-quality sound, and versatility. Featuring ultra-portable design, Bluetooth speakers allow you to listen to your favorite music or enhance the sound quality on movie nights. While there are dozens of models of portable Bluetooth speakers available, a few of them stand out in terms of sound quality. Here’s a list of the top-rated portable Bluetooth speakers of 2023!
JBL Portable Bluetooth Speaker
Best Overall
Crave Portable Bluetooth Speaker
Sleek Design
Soundworks Bluetooth Speaker
Great Value
LENRUE Portable Bluetooth Speaker
Most Stylish
Bose Portable Bluetooth Speaker
Highest Quality
Anker Bluetooth Speaker
Most Durable
Considerations When Buying a Portable Bluetooth Speaker
Audio quality
The biggest reason most people decide to get a portable Bluetooth speaker is its better audio quality. You can either determine a speaker’s audio quality by listening to its output before purchase or you can check the product’s specification list to see the harmonic distortion rating. The desirable harmonic distortion for high-quality sound output is 1% or less. Other than distortion rating, you should check the frequency response of a speaker, which should be between 100 Hz to 20 kHz. Considering that we only listen to music at the highest range, the top frequency isn’t that important. Because the frequency level indicates the bass level, the lower the frequency level is the better the audio output will be.Stereo sound support
If you’re planning to set up your own entertainment system, you should look for a model that comes with stereo sound support. It allows you to link different Bluetooth speakers together to play your music on multiple speakers at the same time, creating crisper, clearer sound.Playtime
One of the parameters that help you choose the right speaker is battery life. Since you will be using a portable speaker outdoors, you can’t recharge it every hour, so it’s better to choose a product that can play tracks uninterrupted. Portable Bluetooth speakers are compact and have a small battery, but you can find options that have an amazing playtime of up to 24 hours.Benefits of Using a Portable Bluetooth Speaker
While every tablet and smartphone comes with built-in speakers, you need an external Bluetooth speaker for better audio quality. A portable Bluetooth speaker is a great way to enjoy the following benefits:- A portable speaker allows you to play audio on the go with better quality and louder sound.
- Playing music on Bluetooth speakers consumes less battery than listening to the music on your tablet or phone’s built-in speakers.
- Many portable Bluetooth speakers feature scaffolding support, allowing you to watch your favorite movie or attend calls hands-free.
- Portable Bluetooth speakers, as the name suggests, are extremely handy. This means you can take them with you on camping trips, picnics, and other outdoor adventures to create the perfect sense of rhythm.
JBL Portable Bluetooth Speaker
Best Overall
Featuring an ultra-portable design, the JBL Clip 3 Portable Bluetooth Speaker allows you to enjoy your favorite track during outdoor adventures like cycling, hiking, and picnics at parks or the beach. The rugged housing is efficiently designed to protect this speaker from elements to keep it as good as new. Best of all, you can easily clip this carabiner-style Bluetooth speaker to your handbags, backpacks, belts, and keyrings.This portable speaker offers great sound and portability, and you can take calls hands-free with this speaker while you’re on the adventure. Boasting a built-in echo-canceling feature, this speaker delivers crystal clear audio, which is a must-have in any quality speaker. Overall, the durability and practical design of this speaker have earned it the top spot on our list.
Pros
- IPX7 waterproof rating against rain
- Durable, long-lasting fabric build
- Available in 12 attractive colors
- Up to 10 hours of audio streaming
Cons
- Some may not like its muffling design
Crave Portable Bluetooth Speaker
Sleek Design
The Crave Portable Bluetooth Speaker is a must-have for any music lover. With its sleek design and lightweight construction, this speaker allows you to take your music everywhere with you. Its two dual sound drivers deliver beautiful clarity and deep thumping bass, giving you an audio experience that can rival most sound systems. The hands-free talking feature makes it perfect for taking calls on the go. Its built-in microphone allows for easy and convenient communication without being tied to a device or headset. It is rechargeable with a Li-ion battery that provides up to 10 hours of playtime on a single charge.Whether it’s a backyard BBQ or a day at the beach, this speaker is perfect for all of your outdoor adventures. Its compact size makes it just right for bringing along, while its rugged design ensures it can withstand anything life throws your way. Plus, its special bass enhancements allow you to really feel the music no matter where you are.
Pros
- Sleek design
- Lightweight construction
- Delivers beautiful clarity
Cons
- One color
Soundworks Bluetooth Speaker
Great Value
Designed and engineered in the USA, the OontZ Angle 3 from Cambridge Soundworks is among the top devices on the market today. Featuring a dual-drive system, this portable Bluetooth speaker produces crisp, clear, and powerful sound at an unbeatable price.Not only is this speaker compact enough to fit into a backpack or travel bag, but it also has an incredible wireless range of 100 feet. And, because it’s designed specifically with amazing bass quality in mind, this portable speaker is great for outdoor use, next to the pool, or in the backyard with its splash-proof and shock-resistant protection.
Pros
- Up to 14 hours of battery life
- Comes with a durable carrying case
- Loud volume without distortion
Cons
- Only splash-proof, so it cannot be submerged
LENRUE Portable Bluetooth Speaker
Most Stylish
If you’re looking for a high-capacity Bluetooth speaker that not only feels good but also looks good, then the LENRUE A2 Portable Bluetooth Speaker is the right choice. With a built-in high capacity power and intelligent power management technology, you can enjoy up to 60 songs without needing to recharge. Featuring an aluminum-alloy body and excellent drivers, this speaker provides crisp, clear sound quality and is made to last a lifetime. What’s more, this Bluetooth speaker also works with non-Bluetooth devices, which can be attached via an aux cable for uninterrupted entertainment. Don’t be fooled by its small and lightweight design because it offers an amazing Bluetooth connectivity range of 33 feet. The sound core technology even automatically reconnects with the last device used for your convenience.
Pros
- Built-in mic for hands-free calls
- Battery fully charges in three hours
- Available in various stylish colors
Cons
- Blue LED light remains on
Bose Portable Bluetooth Speaker
Highest Quality
Bose never fails to amaze audiophiles and this portable Bluetooth speaker is no exception. With this speaker, you don’t have to kill the groove by sorting through the Bluetooth menu and struggling to connect with your speakers. It also allows you to connect with the Bose app to conveniently switch between different devices, while the playtime of eight hours is sure to keep the party going. With the drag-and-drop interface, connecting your devices with the speaker is extremely simple. What’s even better is that it allows you to personalize your settings to truly enjoy your music without having to juggle through a complex setup process. Even more, you can make calls hands-free with the built-in mic from a distance of up to 30 feet.
Pros
- Rugged, silicone exterior
- Pairs with NFC devices as well
- USB-enabled charging port
Cons
- Beeps frequently when charging
Anker Bluetooth Speaker
Most Durable
With the Soundcore, Anker has upgraded its speaker design with durability and robustness in mind — this option even has an IPX5 rating that makes it completely waterproof. You’ll love its rugged housing, while the addition of rubberized material makes it ultra-durable to withstand accidental drops and bumps. With its built-in microphone, you can make calls hands-free when you’re on the road or enjoying the beachside. If you’re a high bass lover, this speaker is for you because it’s equipped with a passive radiator and BassUp technology. Even more, this speaker comes in red, blue, and black and connects with all Bluetooth-enabled devices up to 66 feet away. The best part? You can also connect it with Alexa-enabled devices while gardening, cooking, or sunbathing.
Pros
- High bass sound with minimal distortion
- Waterproof and splash-resistant
- Stays put for up to 24 hours
Cons
- Not loud enough for some
People Also Asked
Can I use my portable Bluetooth indoors and outdoors?
You can use outdoor speakers indoors because they’re more durable, rugged, and portable. But a portable Bluetooth speaker designed to be used indoors might not be ideal to take with you on road trips and outdoor adventures since they aren’t shock-resistant, dust-proof, or waterproof.
Why does my portable Bluetooth speaker disconnect and stop playing?
Many Bluetooth speaker users often complain about their speaker abruptly disconnecting but the main issue is that they either use low-quality speakers or, in some cases, electronic devices may transmit signals that cause interference with connectivity.
What is a good wattage for my Bluetooth speaker?
Most Bluetooth speakers have 5 watts of power, which is considered fairly good. But if you’re purchasing a product to stream music at a night party, you should better pick a more powerful speaker to create a convincing soundstage.
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